The New Nation - Internet Edition

Upazila polls on schedule : EC Sakhawat explains section 91e of RPO

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

There is no easy way to abuse Section 91E of the Representation of the People Ordinance, nor any way to defer Upazila elections, said election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain yesterday, addressing two separate concerns of BNP and Awami League.

BNP has demanded annulment or suspension of 91E which gives the EC power to cancel candidacy, claiming it is meant only to "harass' candidates.

Mentioning it would not be misused under any situation, Sakhawat said Tuesday: "In case of a breach, the EC has the power to annul the candidature."

"The EC has the authority to apply this section only in case there is a serious written allegation of influencing the election or making the election process difficult."

"But it has to be proved under the EC inquiry. The commission will hear the accuser and the accused on the report to be submitted by the EC enquiry committee on the flagrant violation of the electoral code of conduct," the election official clarified.

Even if the commission wanted to take measures against anybody, all the commissioners had to be unanimous and, if need be, the aggrieved person could go to the court, he stressed.

"Since this section has not been studied well, questions are being raised in different ways, giving rise to misunderstanding," Sakhawat said.

BNP and its allies called for cancellation of the provision earlier this month, as a condition for the alliance's participation in the upcoming election, along with three other demands including rescheduling elections and lifting the state of emergency.

Since then, Transparency International Bangladesh has issued a statement calling Section 91E "indispensable". If it is annulled, "there will not remain any institutional process to effectively enforce the electoral code of conduct on candidates," said the corruption watchdog.

On Monday, constitutional experts voiced their support for the section, but added that it "may be open to abuse".

Explaining the process, Sakhawat said Tuesday, "If there is only one candidate left for a constituency after the candidatures of other contestants are cancelled, there is provision for re-inviting nominations. There is no scope for election of a candidate uncontested in this section. Under Section 17 of the RPO, if a candidate or an elected member dies, re-election takes place".

The election commissioner also stressed that there was no scope for shifting the Upazila election date beyond Jan 22.

Students, traders clash in city: 50 injured

A scene of a clash between the traders of Karnaphuli
Garden City and the students of Habibullah Bahar Degree
College was held in the city yesterday. NN photo

Staff Reporter

At least 50 people, including four teachers, 12 students and 30 traders, were injured in a violent clash yesterday between Habibullah Bahar University College students and Karnaphuli Garden City businessmen over nonpayment of fast-food bills.

Police said four students of HSC level of the college went to the Karnaphuli Garden City Shopping Complex and took foods on the 4th floor food shop at about 11:00am. They reportedly misbehaved with women customers in the shop. A fierce brawl between the students and the shop employees ensued as they failed to fully pay the bill.

Witness said at one stage, the employees assaulted and confined them, which triggered massive student protests.

When set free, the students returned to the college and apprised Principal Md Abu Bakkar with teacher Azam, Saifur Rahman of the incident. Later, he sent three teachers along with the students to the shop owner at the luxurious shopping mall to settle the dispute.

When they came here, all the shop employees of the market banded and beat up the teachers and the students, source said.

This outrageous action infuriated the college students and almost all of them came out onto the street nearby as the news spread fast on the campus at about 12:30pm.

The students and businessmen took position on the busy Malibagh-Kakrail road and fought pitched battles, disrupting traffic for three fours till 1:00pm. A nagging traffic-congestion was created all around the area.

The agitating students stoned the shopping-complex, vandalising its front glass-entrance.

Both the groups hurled brickbats at police who rushed in to calm the trouble.

Failing to storm into the college, the unruly businessmen hurled brickbats at the college, destroying the door and windowpanes.

Afterwards, the Principal with the help of police took the stone-throwing students back into the college.

The law-enforcers brought the situation under control at 2:00pm. Additional forces were deployed in the area.

National commission on biotechnology urged

UNB, Dhaka

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday demanded to set up an independent National Commission on Biotechnology to identify research and commercial areas relevant to the country's needs as well as to find out existing manpower strength.

The demand came during discussion on 'Biotechnology in Development:

World Scenario and Bangladesh' held at the Jatiya (national) Press Club in the morning.

Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB) and Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh (YoungBB) jointly organized the discussion where noted scientists, social scientists, NGO officials and media personalities took part.

They said the proposed National Commission would prioritize research as well as identify research network within the country and establish international links and also procure funding for research.

"By using the benefits of biotechnology, the developed countries have developed their all sectors, including agriculture, environment and medicine, but unfortunately we didn't due to the lack of our sufficient knowledge about it," Dr Ahmed Shamsul Islam, a former DU teacher said.

He was critical of the Science and Technology Ministry saying it could not make people aware about the benefits of biotechnology. Those manning the ministry have little or no knowledge about the benefits of biotechnology.

Dr Ahmed said Dhaka is known to all by a city of wastes. But these wastes could be well changed into resource like gas and electricity. "We know it but did not take initiative. That's our problem. So everyone will have to raise voice jointly to accrue benefits out of the wastes.

Describing the importance of the biotechnology, eminent social scientist Dr Mahbub Hossain said biotechnology is much more powerful than information technology, particularly in the third world.

28th BCS Exam: Missed-out applicants to get duplicate admit cards

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) would issue duplicate admit cards to the missed-out applicants of the 28th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) said BPSC Chairman Dr Dr Sa'dat Husain at a press conference in the city yesterday.

The examinees who have not received admit cards because they had failed to enclose all required documents and papers along with their applications have been asked to collect their admit cards prior to the Friday exams.

They have to be given admit card considering only minor errors of the application and on condition that they have to submit the requisite documents with the PSC within December 15.

A total of 1,15,163 applicants were considered as qualified for the 28th BCS preliminary test among 1,20,946 applicants against 1720 posts and 5783 applications were rejected due to different reasons of their applications, said the PSC chairman.

He also said the preliminary test will be held in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet centres simultaneously on November 28 at 10:00.

Before half an hour of the beginning of preliminary test, the question paper would be selected by lottery for the particular examination centre from the earlier prepared sets of question papers at BPATC office and informed to the centre by fax and phone, underlined Dr Sa'dat Husain.

Out of the six PSC centres, the test will be held at 75 examination halls in Dhaka, six in Chittagong, 13 in Rajshahi, five in Khulna, two in Barisal and two examination halls in Sylhet.

The PSC chairman said all preparations for holding the 28th BCS examinations have been completed.

To check the leakage of the question papers, a set of question sheets have been prepared for the first time. Just before starting the test, all the BCS centres in the six divisional headquarters will be informed about the question paper that will be distributed among the examinees, he said.

The answer sheets of the preliminary test would be checked through the computers, he said.

All members of the PSC, except Ehsan Shamim, entrusted with the 28th BCS examinations were present.

Planet Earth at risk

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here yesterday expressed concern over high level natural and man- made environmental pollution in water, air, soil, noise, radiation that posed great threat to long term development effort in the country.

They suggested appropriate policy decision based on sustainable environmental education to combat the ever-increasing pollution to ensure future growth of economy. The Centre for Global Environmental Culture (CGEC), International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) organized a daylong seminar on "The Role of Education for Sustainability in Pollution Control" in the Conference Hall of the university, according to a press release.

Inaugurating the program, Professor Mahmuda Khanaum Pro-Vice-Chancellor called upon the people to abide by existing rules in protecting healthy environment. She underlined more emphasis on environmental education and research at the college and university level to contribute inputs to education for sustainability.

The seminar was participated, among others, by experts from environmental arena, academics, resource persons including members of faculty and students of the University. The speakers also pointed out major causes of pollution in land, river, road, industrial establishment and other sectors of lifecycle suggesting professional views to control the environmental pollution on emergent basis for accelerating national development.

Dr Mohammed Ataur Rahman, Coordinator, Program on Education for Sustainability of CGEC, IUBAT in his keynote paper highlighted the causes of worldwide pollution in all sphere of human life stressing on development of indigenous knowledge on environmental management and sustainability through research, consultation and appropriate technical skills.

Dr Shahidullah Miah, Director College of Agricultural Sciences in IUBAT detailing out major sources of water pollution, disclosed that a low cost effluent treatment to waste water using anaerobic microbial method is a very eco-friendly technology which has already been developed by research at Kashempur, Gazipur at Mascom Composite Limited.

Farid Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director & CEO of Arannayk, Bangladesh Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation portraying very gloomy picture said, the country is wasting substantial amount of natural resources and suggested to use building blocks instead of bricks in construction works and stop massive use of gas for unproductive purposes.

Dr Sohrab Ali, Deputy Director, Department of Environment emphasized on environmental education in academic institution and creating consciousness amongst mass people would be a solution to control environmental problems.

BTRC licence for internet services planned

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken initiative to give licence to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) at nominal fees.

BTRC Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Manjurul Alam made this announcement at a formal meeting with the representatives of local ISPs, Cyber Café and Cable Operator Association at the BTRC's office on Monday, said a press release.

A draft guideline in corporating the opinions of concerned stakeholders was placed in the meeting. Local ISPs supported the guideline which will bring local ISPs under BTRC's control.

The guideline will be put on the BTRC's web site (www.btrc.gov.bd) within two days for public opinion.

The draft will be finalised conforming to the opinions of the stakeholder.

According to the guideline, the licence holders would pay nominal annual fee on easy terms. An ISP could both provide internet service and operate Cyber Café under the licence. The licensed ISP would buy bandwidth from national and zonal ISP and reach the internet service to people.

"A good number of youths will get opportunity to do business in a legal way if local ISPs are given licence", Manjurul Alam said. This will also increase internet penetration, he added.

The BTRC Chairman warned that if anyone indulges in illegal activities, BTRC would take punitive action against the wrongdoer.

Four JMB men get 20 yrs RI

UNB, Chittagong

The Speedy Trial Tribunal here yesterday sentenced four activists of banned Islamist militant outfit

Jam'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for exploding bombs in a judge court in 2005.

Judge Shafiqul Karim handed down the verdict after examining records and witnesses depositions.

The convicts are : JBM divisional commander Javed Iqbal alias Mohammad and activists M Shahjad Ali, Abdul Malek Laltu and Mizan alias 'bomaru' Mizan. Of them Mizan tried in absentia.

According to the prosecution, the JMB activists exploded bombs at the court of Joint District Judge M Dilzar Hossain on October 3, 2005 that left a boy injured.

Of the convict, Laltu was arrested from the scene with wounds by the explosion while Javed and Shahjad were arrested later.

After investigation police submitted chargesheet against the convicts on November 2, 2005.

Dacoity at Mirpur

Staff Reporter

Dacoits looted gold ornaments and other valuables worth about Tk 15 lakh from a banker's flat in Mirpur yesterday.

Police quoting neighbours said the bandits numbering 7 to 8 entered into the flat of Abdul Awal, a senior principal officer of Rupali Bank Principal Office, on 3rd floor of 6-storey building at Maddhya Monipur in Mirpur thana at about 7:15am.

Then they kept all inmates hostage at gunpoint and looted 40 tolas of gold ornaments, Tk 15,000, one laptop, three digital cameras and other valuables.

The bandits decamped with the booty without any resistance. Senior police officials later visited the spot.

A case was filed with Mirpur police station in this connection.

Rain water harvesting project launched

Staff Reporter

Coca-Cola Far East Ltd with the association of Plan Bangladesh launched the first of a series of innovative 'Rain Water Harvesting and Drinking Water Project' at the Surovi school in the city, yesterday.

Around 110,000 children had been dying due to water borne diseases every year in the country. The initiative is taken for ensuring water sustainability and providing safe drinking water in schools.

This project will also help empower people to conserve water and improve access to safe drinking water. The harvest capacity of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems is 32,50,000 liters of rain water per annum.

Tushar Quader Haq, Sponsorship and Grant Management and Muhammad Zillur Rahman, the water and sanitation specialist of Plan, among others, took part in the Programme.

Six rifles, bullets looted from ansar camp

UNB, Mymensingh

Unidentified miscreants looted six rifles and 109 rounds of bullet from an ansar camp of an industry at Masterbari in Bhaluka upazila early yesterday.

Police, later, recovered all the looted arms but the bullets from a nearby land.

Police said a gang of 8/10 miscreants swooped on the ansar camp of ITCL industry at about 2am when six ansar members were asleep.

The gang held the ansar members hostage at gun point, looted their rifles and bullets and fled the scene.

On information, police conducted operation in the area and found the rifles in an abandoned condition on a land at about 5am. But the bullets could not be recovered yet. Police arrested nine ansar members for interrogation.

27th BCS exam results won't be changed: Sa’adat

BSS, Dhaka

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will not change the announced results of the 27th examinations of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS).

Chairman of the PSC Dr Sa'adat Hossain said yesterday, in reply to a query at a press briefing held at his secretariat office at the old airport at Tejgaon in the city, the PSC had announced the results of the 27th BCS examinations maintaining all the rules and regulations.

The PSC also recommended those who passed the examinations for appointment to government services, he added.

He said, "There is no scope for changing the results, which have already been announced."

Dr Sa'adat said the preliminary test for the 28th batch of the BCS will be held on November 28. The written test will be held on the same day at all the PSC centres in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet at 10 am simultaneously.

Allegations of corruption against LGED boss

Staff Reporter

Allegations of corruption against an additional chief engineer of LGED have been made as he has become owner of several crores of taka within the last 26 years reportedly from known and unknown sources.

The additional chief engineer, Wahidur Rahman, who is drawing around Tk 34,000 as gross salary has amassed about Tk 3,47, 31, 763 in different forms, sources in the Anti Corruption Commission said.

According to an ACC investigation, the LGED additional chief engineer at present owns a multistoried building and a plot of land in city's Shewrapara area. He owns land also at Kanchpur and Gazipur, has FDR amounting to Tk 19 lakhs, Tk 14.5 lakhs in bank accounts and Tk 40,000 under DPS scheme. He has spent Tk 9 lakh for education of his two children.

Recently a Deputy Director of the ACC submitted a report to his bosses stating that as per claim of the additional chief engineer he had earned the properties from his legal sources that includes his and his wife's salary, savings from foreign visits, money from seminars as resource person, pension of his wife, house rent from his multistoried building, earnings from sale of cow milk, tree, land, tin shed building, interest on savings certificates and bank loan.

The ACC report mentioned that the LGED high-up took Tk 1.7 crore loan from Ramna branch of Agrani Bank and Mouchak branch of Islami Bank to build the multistoried building in Shewrapara.

From 1987 to 2008 he went abroad 25 times, in most cases for training and as government delegation member. The ACC official referring to Wahidur Rahman's claim mentioned that he earned Tk 15.7 lakh from these foreign trips.

The ACC also motioned that the additional chief engineer had earned Tk 6 lakhs as honoraria attending different seminars locally as resource person.

Last week he was elected council member in the election of Bangabondhu Engineering Parishad.

Wahidur Rahman earlier told The New Nation that he had earned all the wealth from legal sources. A section of LGED officials were trying to tarnish his image and had engaged in the propaganda against him.